QUIKSILVER BIG WAVE SURFER MARK HEALEY CONQUERS THE SILVER DRAGON

(Shanghai) October 9th, 2008 – Quiksilver, the worldwide authority in boardsports apparel, has once again broken ground in China by bringing surfing to the Shanghai region.  Famed Quiksilver big wave surfer Mark Healey came to China at the end of September, with the assistance of China-based Wabsono International and US-based Gerard Sports Marketing, LLC (“GSM”) to bring surfing to the Qiantang River, or as surfers outside of China call it, ‘The Silver Dragon.’  Healey, along with Long brothers Rusty and Greg, challenged and defeated the raging waters of the yearly tidal bore which rushes through Hangzhou ever autumn. 

In August of this year, Gerard Sports Marketing brought a team to scout the Qiantang River and give their assessment with regard to safety.  This team included professional surfer Brad Gerlach.  Gerlach is world famous for surfing the world’s biggest wave in 2006 (21 meters).  At the end of this trip, the group concluded that the Qiantang River is possible to surf, but only for professionally trained and experienced big wave surfers.  The team delivered its official report to Hangzhou Sports Bureau, who decided to include the surfing adventure as part of the yearly Qiantang River Tidal Bore Festival.  Healey and the Long brothers surfed the sometimes three meter tall waves during the festival, while thousands of eager locals looked on at the first live surfing they have ever experienced.

The tidal bore called the ‘Silver Dragon’ which rolls through Hangzhou every autumn, is world renowned as one of the few surf locations China has to offer.   Depending on the location of the moon and its relation to the changing tides, the annual Silver Dragon tidal bore can sometimes be a smooth rolling wave, or a raging big wave which caught the attention of big wave riders Mark Healey, and Rusty and Greg Long.  Through connections made by Gerard Sports Marketing, LLC and the Hanghzou Sport’s Bureau, the crew of professional surfers chose to visit China when the Silver Dragon was at its biggest and most exciting.  The riders timed their trip to match perfectly with the annual Qian Tong River Tidal Bore Festival, which brings locals together to celebrate the arrival of the once a year tidal bore. 

Quiksilver sponsored Mark Healey is a top ranked big wave surfer who is world famous for his courage.  When not surfing the world’s largest waves, Mark can usually be found swimming with sharks or jumping out of airplanes.  The challenges Healey faced while surfing the Silver Dragon included unstable water conditions, underwater currents, and incredibly fast-moving sets of waves.  Regardless of the unpredictable nature of the Silver Dragon, Healey and the Long Brothers surfed for three days straight, each day seeing bigger and better waves. 

“In many ways, the spirit of surfing has always been a part of Chinese culture,” said Mr. Zhao, director of the Hangzhou Sports Bureau.  “Chinese society has always appreciated and respected the harmony of man and nature.  And, just as the ancient Chinese rode the river in canoes 8000 years ago, the young western surfers have brought surfing back to China in a more modern and commercially viable way.”

Quiksilver has been helping to create a boardriding culture in China since it opened the first flagship store in 2004.  Since then, Quiksilver has put on events such as the “Quiksilver Danny Way Great Wall Jump”, and the “Quiksilver Night Rail Session”, which have presented the active but safe lifestyle of skateboarding and snowboarding to the Chinese public.  “With Mark Healey’s groundbreaking surfing along the Qiantong River, we at Quiksilver and Roxy feel that China is ready for surfing, and we are committed to bringing the wave riding lifestyle to China,” states Quiksilver/Roxy’s GM Cathey Curtis. 

For more information about Quiksilver surfing adventures, and other related info, log onto www. Quiksilver.cn.